Musings From A Nobody

MY WORST FILMS VIEWED IN 2007

On my last post, I did the best of 2007 and this list contains the worst films viewed in 2007 via cable and DVD debuts.  Did not see any bad films in the theaters this year, I was two for two with both Hairspray and American Gangster receiving passing grades from me!

BORAT - (HBO) - Incredibly overrated and dumb.  Sacha Baron Cohen was much better in a supporting role in Talladega Nights.  Wonder if he's any good as a supporting player in Sweeney Todd?  And can he sing?

LAST KING OF SCOTLAND - (DVD) - Shocking that this bore was critically acclaimed.  Forest Whitaker should have gotten a supporting nod, if that, for his performance as Idi Amin.  (And category competitor, poor Peter O'Toole lost his one hundredth chance for an Oscar!) The story focused on Scottish doctor,played by James McAvoy of current Atonement fame and the twisted relationship between them.  Kerry Washington, once again, guided her male co-star to the Oscar podium (after co-starring as Ray Charles wife in Ray played by Jamie Foxx).

HAPPY FEET - (HBO) - Once the ecological theme kicked in, it was more bearable, but still mostly boring.

SUPERMAN RETURNS - (HBO) - Too long and anticlimactic.  Kate Bosworth was good though. Kevin Spacey has fallen so far since his nineties heyday. (View Usual Suspects and American Beauty, if you haven't already)

THE DA VINCI CODE - (STARZ) - Very dull.  Tom Hanks worst performance since Turner and Hooch! Thank goodness the sequel is being held up by the writer's strike!

POSEIDON - (HBO) - Where's Shelley Winters when you need her?  Very soggy remake.

PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS - (On DVD) - Will Smith received best actor nods from the Golden Globes, The Oscars and Screen Actor Guild Awards for this?  Sure, he had a couple of good scenes, but come on!  His son, Jaden Christopher Syre Smith's a natural.  A rare lackluster performance by Thandie Newton.  And furthermore, race was not an issue in 1980's San Francisco?

ZODIAC - (On DVD) - The story of the infamous zodiac killer of 1970's San Francisco (again).  It was a long and winding road to the conclusion.  Made many 2007's critic's top ten lists, but got the cold shoulder from moviegoers.  Wonder why?

FRACTURE - (On DVD) - Anthony Hopkins has been down this road at least a couple of times before as a shady character much smarter than his pursuer.  And liked Ryan Gosling better in his Oscar nominated role in Half Nelson.

SNAKES ON A PLANE - (HBO) - The Internet sensation, but theatrical disappointment was never as campy as it should have been.  Also, it was never as scary as it could have been.  But, it did contain a classic movie line for the ages, delivered naturally by its star, Samuel L. Jackson, "I'm tired of these motherf****** snakes on this motherf****** plane".  Genius!

    

MY FAVORITE MOVIES ON DVD, CABLE AND A COUPLE IN THE THEATERS TOO!

I rarely get out to see first run movies.  Rather see them at home where I can kick back with my Donnie (if he's available and interested in the film that I'm viewing!), adjust the volume to normal human levels and not have to deal with all the commercials that usually precede the main feature when a movie is seen in the theaters.  Here are my top ten films viewed in 2007 via cable, DVD or even theatrical debuts:

1. LITTLE CHILDREN - (On DVD) - starring the greatest actress of her generation, the new Kate "The Great" Winslet and Patrick Wilson as unfaithful suburbanites and The Bad News Bears' Jackie Earle Haley (all grownup) as a child sex offender as their very troubled neighbor.  Haley was excellent and should have gotten the supporting Oscar for his effectively creepy portrayal over his main competitors, Little Miss Sunshine's foulmouthed Grandpa Alan Arkin (eventual winner) and Dreamgirls' James Brown wannabe, Eddie Murphy (overrated).  Wilson was positively dreamy and Winslet (my fave) acted seemingly effortless and superbly (as usual).  Very well-written.

THE PRESTIGE - (HBO) -  A lot of fun as rival turn of the 20th century London magicians played the ultimate game of one upmanship.  Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale and Michael Caine starred.  Caine delivered, yet another excellent supporting role, while Jackman was rocking new millennium abs, a hundred years earlier.  Who knew that gyms were popular, then? Must be viewed at least twice to pick up all of the clues.  Much better than the same director's (Christopher Nolan) Memento.  Also, The Prestige was better than the concurrently released and somewhat similar, The Illusionist.

1. THE QUEEN - (On DVD) - Helen Mirren was Queen Elizabeth II during the aftermath of Princess Diana's tragic 1997 death.  And how did Michael Sheen as Tony Blair not receive a best supporting actor or even nomination for his uncanny portrayal.  Best Extras of the year that dealt with the intricacies of the royalty. Fascinating. 
2. INFAMOUS - (On DVD) - The second Truman Capote Story told during his In Cold Blood days after Phillip Seymour Hoffman's version in 2005.  This version was a lot more enjoyable and gay.  Toby Jones was just as good or better than Hoffman and more closely resembled the real life counterpart.  Sandra Bullock was very good as Nelle Harper Lee and had a bigger part than Catherine Keener did in 2005's Capote.  And the current, "blond Bond", Daniel Craig once again, proved that he can seriously act.
3. NOTES ON A SCANDAL - (On DVD) -  Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett as private school teachers and friends, then, enemies after Blanchett's character gets embroiled in a, "scandal".  Blanchett was solid, but Dench was absolute perfection.
4. PANS LABRYNTH - (On DVD) - Politics, fantasy and personal drama intersected in Guillermo del Toro's striking film.  Maribel Verdu was first rate as the housekeeper who wasn't all she appeared to be.
5. UNITED 93 - (HBO) - Intense docudrama of that fateful flight and the heroic passengers.  Last fifteen minutes were almost unbearable to watch.
6. HAIRSPRAY - (Viewed in the theaters!) - Rare first run adventure that had to be seen with an appreciative audience.  Remake of 1988 John Waters classic and adapted from the Broadway stage musical about a plucky teen Tracy (Nikki Blonsky, taking over the role that made Ricki Lake famous) causing a ruckus by integrating the after school adolescent dance program in early 1960's Baltimore with interference by wicked Michelle Pfeiffer character.  Energetic entertainment also starring comeback kid (again) of 2007, John Travolta in drag as Tracy's mother (with this summer smash and the big spring hit, Wild Hogs Travolta has used another one of his nine Hollywood career lives!), a dignified Queen Latifah, High School Musical sensation, Zac Efron and a breakout performance by Elijah Kelly. But, not as edgy as the 1988 original.
7. AMERICAN GANGSTER - (Seen in the theaters too!) - Denzel Washington added to his lengthy resume of dynamic performances as notorious 1970's druglord, Frank Lucas who was vigorously pursued by cop, Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe).  Seasoned actress, Ruby Dee as Washington's mother had her moments as well.
8. TALLADEGA NIGHTS - (HBO) - What in the hell is a Will Ferrell movie doing on a best of list?  Because it was damn hilarious and I don't find a lot funny in comedies these days.  NASCAR comedy spoof with one of my favorite character actors, John C. Reilly as Ferrell's buddy and future nemesis and Sacha Baron Cohen of Borat fame as a French arch rival.  Surprisingly and refreshingly gay friendly for such a mainstream film (watch last scene, for some proof!).    Ferrell definitely is a delightful guilty pleasure!  Bring on Blades of Glory!

Stay tuned for the worst movies viewed in 2007!

                

AMAZING RACE 12/30/07

Exciting episode of Amazing Race tonight with the racers traveling from beautiful Florence, Italy to the very busy streets of Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India.  Last week, Kynt and Vyxsin barely escaped elimination, since it was a nonelimination leg. There was a penalty, of course, but host Phil did not have them stripped of all their money (as was the case in the past), however, there was a new twist called, "the speed bump".  Basically, this is a task that only the penalized team has to complete. 

Anyway, the sweet and mellow couple came in first, the tattooed family members were next, the bad dad and nice daughter third, so the remaining teams, the high strung couple and the Goth couple had to compete hard to avoid elimination.  The Goth couple made up some lost ground, while the high strung couple argued over stereotypical gender roles during the Detour challenge.  BTW, both of the teams made last minute mistakes. So, who got eliminated?  Hint: it wasn't the team that you would have hoped got the boot!  Unfortunately, it rarely ever is on The Amazing Race; look at the recent winners.  Well, at least Rob and Amber didn't win!   

BOX OFFICE 12/30/07

Nicolas Cage's National Treasure: Book of Secrets captured the box office crown this post Christmas weekend with 35 plus million. I'm sure a second sequel is already in the works.  Of course, after the writer's strike ends.  Alvin and the Chipmunks continued to be the family destination film with 30m in weekend grosses.  Will Smith's I Am Legend, closes in on the 200m mark with 27.5m in financial gains this past weekend.  Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts' Charlie Wilson's War secured almost 12m in ticket sales. Ellen Page's Juno collected a little over 10m, while Alien vs. Predator: Requiem closely followed with 10m.  New family flick, Water Horse: Legend of the Deep, and Hilary Swank's P.S. I Love You both claimed around 9m.  Johnny Depp's Sweeney Todd made 8m.  And the long-running hit starring rapidly rising star, Amy Adams, Enchanted scored 6.5m to close the top ten. The Denzel Washington/Forest Whitaker/ Oprah Winfrey, acting/directing/producing collaboration debut outside of the top ten with only 6m.  Co-producer, Harvey    Weinstein is going to have to work his usual studio magic to make this a box-office and awards contender in the coming weeks. (All figures based on studio estimates)   

FINE FOOD

Some friends, Donnie and I went out to eat in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan to a tasty Irish restaurant, appropriately called, Dublin 6.  There were five of us, so we were seated at a relatively private and round table in the front of the restaurant.  This proved to be a good location for us, since Dublin 6's known as a sports bar as well and was particularly noisy this night with the undefeated New England Patriots playing against hometown team, the N.Y. Giants.  Anyway, I had a delicious arugula salad with bosc pear slices and goat cheese topped with vinegratte dressing as an appetizer, duck confit with rice for an entree and a side order of scrumptious fries.  Two of my other friends went prosaic with burger orders, but they said their burgers were very good.  Another friend had bangers and mash, while Donnie had pork schnitzel (how did that get on the Irish menu?).  We all skipped dessert, but one friend had a Bailey Irish Cream drink.  Moderately priced (for Manhattan), lively atmosphere and very good service.  I didn't know what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised.  Very recommended.      

MEL GIBSON'S APOCALYPTO

Donnie and I viewed the 2006 movie, Apocalypto on Starz tonight, directed by the highly controversial director, Mel Gibson.  We went in with preconceived notions of a fairly highminded film portraying the Mayan people and their culture.  The first hour of Apocalypto had some elements of that (ceremonious rituals, human sacrifices and the passing on of elder wisdom), but soon, thereafter, the movie deteriorates into,"a chase film", albeit a foot chase one, through the forest complete with hidden dangers of jaguars and a snake and a hero with superhuman strength despite the adrenaline rush.  Mostly, the ugly, violent side of the ancient Mayan culture was shown, the characterizations were skimpy and the plot slight.  Gibson seemed to have the strong need to devolve into the use of typical Hollywood conventions in order to propel his tale.  But, overall, still entertaining and occasionally suspenseful with a protagonist, one would care about despite the predictable outcome.  Hope to see a more sophisticated story of the Mayans someday.  In subtitles.  Recommended for those who are bored with modern day action movies and would like to change it up to a different setting at a different point in history.       

YEP, JOSH GROBAN IS NUMBER ONE AGAIN!

Josh Groban and his smash hit CD, Noel continue their winning ways with another top of the heap finish on the Billboard Top 200 Album Charts for the fifth week in a row.  Noel sold over 750,000 copies last week in the run-up towards the Christmas holiday.  That's a lot of stocking stuffing!  As I and probably most chartwatchers predicted last week, the new album by R&B diva, Mary J. Blige, Growing Pains shook up the charts this week and debuted at a strong second with 629,000 units purchased.  Otherwise, the top ten looked the same, although, sales were up for the remaining eight albums.  Superstar Alicia Keys, Baby Boomer favorite, The Eagles, compilation standby, Now 26, Disney hitmakers, Miley Cyrus and High School Musical, country baby divas, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift and r&b teen sensation, Chris Brown round out the top ten.  Expect a slowdown next week regarding Josh Groban's Noel as the holiday season starts to do a quick fade.  (all figures based on Nielsen SoundScan)      

ELTON JOHN 60TH AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

Viewed Elton John's 6oth at Madison Square Garden on DVD and what a disappointing snoozefest this turned out to be.  Elton's voice was not what it used to be and neither was his energy level, so that brought the entire proceedings to a near standstill.  Celebrities littered the audience with Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams appearing onstage to congratulate Elton's 60th Madison Square Garden concert on his 60th birthday.  Other luminaries included President Bill Clinton, Rosie O'Donnell, Ozzie and Sharon Osbourne and Will and Grace's Eric McCormack.  Elton's songs were performed with near lethargy including previously rousing numbers like Honky Cat , Philadelphia Freedom and ironically, I'm Still Standing.  I was hoping that George Michael would come out and lend some energetic support to Elton on Don't Let the Sun Come Down On Me, but no such luck. Maybe they could have brought out Elton's old touring partner, fellow seventies superstar, Billy Joel, but, once again, a desired celebrity was MIA. Only the closer, Your Song sounded almost as good as when it was originally released.  Conversely, on the Extras, there was a London concert from the early eighties in which Elton was in his former glory with high energy and pleasant vocals for days.  The comparisons between the younger and older Elton were very revealing.  Recommended only for Elton's hardcore fans.         

DON'T MESS WITH WILL

Several celebrity Internet bloggers got something that Will Smith said all twisted, but America's number one box-office attraction went off and this is how it went down: http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2007-12-24-smith-hitler_N.htm   

PETER O'TOOLE IN VENUS

Donnie and I viewed the 2006 film, Venus which garnered Peter O' Toole, a best actor Oscar nomination. (But, he lost to Forest Whitaker who won for Last King of Scotland)   Mildly interesting character study about the unusual relationship between a faded theater star, Maurice Russell (O'Toole) and the young great niece (Jodie Whitaker) of a friend of Maurice's.  Life and death lessons were learned, accepted and lives were changed.  O'Toole was good, but Oscar worthy?  He should have won the Oscar decades ago for his brilliant performance in Lawrence of Arabia.  That damn Gregory Peck won for To Kill a Mocking Bird!  And unfortunately, O'Toole has lost many times since.  Anyway, it seemed like Corinne Bailey Rae's entire debut album was featured in this film and that was a good thing!